Nelson & Top of the South
Sun, golden beaches, and historic goldfields. The top of the South Island offers relaxed prospecting.
Early Gold Country
Gold was first discovered in New Zealand in the Aorere Valley in 1857 — four years before the famous Otago rush. While these northern fields never produced the spectacular yields of Otago or the West Coast, they supported steady mining for decades.
The Nelson and Buller regions offer a more relaxed prospecting experience. The weather is better, the rivers are gentler, and the crowds are smaller. It's a great area for beginners or those who want to combine prospecting with a holiday.
Fossicking Areas
Aorere River (Area A)
Nelson Camping15km southwest of Collingwood. A scenic golden sand river with easy access and good family facilities.
Aorere River (Area B)
Nelson Camping30km southwest of Collingwood. More remote than Area A, but often less crowded and with pristine bush surroundings.
Lyell Creek
Buller Camping35km west of Murchison. Historic mining area with good camping facilities and a relaxed atmosphere.
New Creek
Nelson5km northwest of Rotoroa. A smaller, less-visited site that rewards those willing to explore.
Louis Creek
Marlborough4km west of Howard. Features an informative interpretation panel about gold mining history in the region.
Nelson Region Tips
- • Best weather in NZ: Nelson averages the most sunshine hours
- • Golden sand: Use a black or dark green pan for better contrast
- • Combine activities: Great region for hiking, wineries, and beaches
- • Coarser gold: Closer to source, gold tends to be slightly larger here